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Sunday, April 3, 2016

SPICE IT UP - THE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE

7. Finally, the spice that brings out the best in your
spouse is ACCEPTANCE.

This means respecting your spouse's individuality. It means
respecting their right to be different from you. Thus permitting them to have
separate views, likes/dislikes, feelings etc. Not wanting to force them into
your own mould by all means. This does not necessarily mean 'liking' because in marriage,
there are human differences which we must learn to live with. Different is beautiful!

Acceptance can only be borne out of a conscious effort to see
your spouse as a person of worth and to value them as such! It does not
mean that your spouse is perfect or that you should overlook everything. It is all about having the understanding that human beings like
plants thrive/grow in the soil of unconditional acceptance not in an atmosphere
of criticism, rejection, fault-finding, nagging etc. Ephesians 4:2,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;

Even if there is a need to correct your spouse, do it in love,
with the right attitude and tone of voice. They will respond better. Self-acceptance, though is what will help you accept your spouse
for who they are. If you do not love and accept yourself the way you should, it
will be difficult to do the same for anyone else. That is where it
begins. So there you have it. Seven spices that will help put the
zing back into your marriage and make it sizzle endlessly!

In the words of Revelation 3:2, strengthen the things that
remain ( in your marriage). Start from where you are and begin to take baby
steps to reverse the trend in your marriage. Shed the rut! No matter how long you have been married, the wine can be fresh
and as intoxicating as at the beginning! Here is to a revived, spine-tingling adventure with your spouse!